THE REFORM OF INSTITUTED MINISTRIES IN LIGHT OF SPIRITUS DOMINI AND ANTIQUUM MINISTERIUM: CANONICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND SYNODAL IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

The 2021 motu proprios Spiritus Domini and Antiquum ministerium, promulgated by Pope Francis, mark a decisive moment in the Church’s reception of Vatican II’s ecclesiology by reshaping the theological and canonical understanding of instituted ministries. These reforms ground instituted ministries explicitly in baptism and recognise the catechist as a stable form of ecclesial service. In light of these developments, this thesis offers a comprehensive historical, theological, and canonical study of instituted ministries, beginning with the fluid and charismatic roles of the early Christian communities and tracing their gradual incorporation into the clerical cursus honorum, their codification as minor orders, and their consolidation within the Tridentine framework. The reform initiated by Ministeria quaedam (1972) abolished the minor orders and established the instituted lay ministries of lector and acolyte; however, the subsequent formulation of c. 230 in the 1983 Code of Canon Law left unresolved tensions concerning baptismal foundations, women’s participation, and the distinction between instituted, temporary, and extraordinary ministries. Through a critical analysis of these historical trajectories and recent papal reforms, the thesis argues that instituted ministries must be understood within a synodal framework that emphasises co-responsibility, discernment, and the recognition of charisms. It evaluates the adequacy of the current canonical structure, identifies limitations in the existing terminology and categorisation, and proposes a more flexible continuum of ministries capable of responding to diverse pastoral realities. Drawing on historical precedent, theological reflection, and contemporary pastoral practice, the study also considers the possible institution of a ministry of deaconess, clearly distinguished from the sacramental diaconate yet expressive of baptismal participation. Overall, the thesis contributes to the ongoing theology and canon law of ministry by articulating a coherent model in which instituted ministries function as an authentic expression of synodality and the shared mission of the People of God.